High winds cause havoc at women’s golf major with play suspended at ANA Inspiration

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Golfers chase windswept balls1:59

Golf: Highlights from the ANA Inspiration.

• March 31st 2017
• 2 days ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/Golf/

Marissa Steen watches as her hat blows off on the 11th hole.

PREDICTED high winds brought an early end to the opening round of the first women’s golf major of the year in California, with half the field failing to get through 18 holes of the ANA Inspiration.

France’s Karine Icher took advantage of benign conditions early in the day on the Dinah Shore Course to be the clubhouse leader with a 5-under 67. Four golfers are one stroke back, including Michelle Wie and 17-year-old amateur Eun Jeong Seong.

A flag is seen bending from the wind on the fourth green.Source:AFP

Defending champion and world No.1 Lydia Ko was two under through five holes before the wind picked up.

Minjee Lee was the best of the Australians, even with the card at the turn after nine straight pars, with Sarah-Jane Smith a stroke further back through 12 holes.

Su Oh was the only one of the Aussie contingent to play in the morning group, finishing with a 74 to be seven shots off the pace and needing a strong second round to make the cut, while Karrie Webb is three over through nine holes. With the winds moving marked balls on the green and blowing furniture around the course, the LPGA initially only temporarily suspended play.

Austin Ernst walks away from the 15th hole with her caddie as play is suspended.Source:AFP

But after a 45-minute delay, play was eventually called off for the day, with the first round to resume on Friday morning followed by the second round. Organisers said it was unlikely the second round would be completed on Friday, meaning the cut will not be made until Saturday.

Originally published as Video: High winds cause havoc at golf major